Planning application to extend Offaly GAA's Faithful Fields complex lodged

Offaly GAA has signalled its intention to seek planning permission to expand its facilities at the Faithful Fields Centre of Excellence in Kilcormac, including the installation of a new all-weather astro turf pitch.

The proposed development at Ballybracken, Kilcormac, if given the go-ahead, would be the culmination of a long-held ambition by Offaly GAA to install all-weather training facilities at their training grounds.

The current Faithful Fields complex consists of four full-sized floodlit playing pitches; meeting rooms; dressing rooms; a state-of-the-art gym; catering facilities; an all-weather warm up area.

A full stand, permanent scoreboard and fencing were added to the original complex in 2019.

While the facilities at the county's Centre of Excellence in Kilcormac have been widely credited with helping to bring about a reversal in fortunes for both Offaly football and hurling in recent times, County Board chairman Tom Parlon acknowledges that the absence of all-weather training facilities for teams was “always the gap that needed to be addressed.”

When 15 additional acres of land became available last year, alongside the existing Faithful Fields, Offaly GAA acquired the lands on a long-term lease with a view to developing all-weather playing facilities.

It is understood that Phase Two of the Faithful Fields project will make provision for a running track which will be developed in conjunction with Offaly Athletics and will be used for cross-country events.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent this week, Tom Parlon said, pending planning approval, the proposed development of all-weather training facilities at the Faithful Fields will involve “a substantial fundraising effort”, plans for which are now being put in place

“We are now at the stage of investigating what funding we can get for Phase Two from Leinster Council, Croke Park and other sources,” he said, “but we will definitely need to embark on a high-profile fundraising campaign to get the project over the line.”

Offaly GAA has estimated that the installation of all-weather training facilities will cost in excess of €1 million, with Tom Parlon telling this newspaper in an interview in May that seeking planning permission for such a project was not one that the organisation would “take lightly”.

However, he pointed out at the time that the provision of all-weather training faciltiies at Faithful Fields was a project that Offaly GAA had “under active consideration” for some time.

“We have travelled up and down the country looking at, not just GAA facilities, but also soccer and rugby facilities,” Mr Parlon said in May, “so we have given a lot of thought and consideration to an all-weather pitch and it is not a decision we take lightly as it is a very big investment of €1 million plus.”

Tom Parlon acknowledged this week that seeking planning permission for Phase Two of the Faithful Fields project is “the first step” in the process with the next phase being the not insurmountable challenge of raising funds to complete the all-weather facilities.

He says the fundraising plans for the latest development at Faithful Fields are “in the melting pot” at the moment, but expressed the hope that local businesses and individuals will come on board to support what is seen by Offaly GAA as a vital project for the future success of hurling and football across the county.